Mandya Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K.R. Nandini has directed all Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) to prioritise the generation of man-days under the VB-GRAM G scheme, with special focus on Gram Panchayats that have recorded zero man-days.

Chairing a video conference with Taluk Panchayat Executive Officers and PDOs on Tuesday, Ms. Nandini instructed officials to prepare action plans in accordance with scheme guidelines, upload them on the designated software and complete the approval process. She said any technical issues should be immediately reported to the Zilla Panchayat for resolution in coordination with the State office.

Emphasising the need for greater public participation, the CEO directed officials to intensify Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns to create awareness among rural residents and wage labourers about the objectives, eligibility and benefits of the scheme. She instructed officials to ensure that employment is provided promptly to all eligible workers seeking work under the programme and called for accelerated efforts to achieve the prescribed man-day targets.

Announcing that she would begin taluk-wise inspections from next week, Ms. Nandini said implementation of the scheme would be reviewed on the ground.

She also directed the Deputy Secretary (Development) to organise awareness workshops on the VB-GRAM G scheme at all taluk headquarters, making participation mandatory for PDOs, DEOs and all personnel involved in its implementation.

Reviewing other development programmes, the CEO instructed officials to take precautionary measures to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply in villages likely to face shortages in view of declining groundwater levels caused by deficient rainfall.

She also directed officials to dispose of e-Swathu applications within the prescribed timeline and warned that applications should neither be returned nor kept pending without valid reasons. Disciplinary action would be initiated against officials responsible for unjustified delays, she cautioned.

The CEO called for faster implementation of government programmes, including the Swachh Bharat Mission, housing schemes and other development initiatives. She also asked Taluk Panchayat Executive Officers and PDOs to extend support to economic activities of Sanjeevini federations under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).

Officials were further instructed to prepare action plans for salary and non-salary grants released under various government heads for 2026-27, obtain necessary approvals, execute quality works in line with government guidelines and ensure full utilisation of funds by the end of December 2026.

During the meeting, officials were also directed to convene ad-hoc committee meetings based on social audit and internal audit reports to resolve audit objections and recovery cases at the earliest.

Deputy Secretary (Administration) Shivalingaiah, Deputy Secretary (Development) P. Lakshmi, Project Director Sundar Raj, Chief Planning Officer Dhanush, Chief Accounts Officer Srinivas Nayak, district and taluk-level officers, Executive Officers and Panchayat Development Officers attended the meeting.

Published - July 29, 2026 08:04 pm IST